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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Well, things have been chaotic around here, as usual. The good news is that I got a job teaching three-year-olds at a preschool. Now, I don't have to worry about looking for a job for the fall. They follow the school district schedule, which is wonderful, and I will be off work early enough in the afternoons for Zach to come straight home from school. The pay isn't wonderful, but I am hoping to find some kids to tutor after school at my house to make up the difference.

I loved leading the childbirth discussion at the YMCA Saturday, and hope there will be more opportunities to do that in the future. They are supposed to be putting me on the fall calendar.

I found a location for my Cub Scout parent planning meeting for tomorrow night. That's a relief, because my house is in no condition for company! I started cleaning out the office Friday night, and took everything out and piled it in my dining room. I bought a huge new bookshelf at IKEA, and it holds all my scrapbooking things nicely. I still can't figure out what to do with all of the pictures, Zach's school work, and other assorted papers. I wish I could toss it all, but that's not me.

Zoe slept over 12 hours last night. That was a nice surprise, since she has been waking up twice each night to eat. We went to the pool yesterday evening, and I think it wore both the kids out. I guess we should do that more often, since Zach hadn't left the house since Saturday. Can you say cabin fever? There's only so much SpongeBob and Mario Kart I can take.

The bad news is that our air conditioner is broken. Not only are the pipes outside frozen, it's barely blowing, and there is a wet spot on the ceiling in the hallway upstairs. We have a window unit in our office, since it was added on, so it's nice and chilly in here. The rest of the house? Not so much. Remember, it's late July, and we live in south Texas. The technician is on his way over here, though, so that will be remedied soon, I hope.

Darren is almost finished with our half-bath remodel, and it's looking nice. We've also been having some work done in our backyard to get it ready for Zachary's birthday party. We're saving money this year by not going somewhere for the party, but we did just have $300 worth of rocks put in. I guess I should look at it as an investment. The dog looks at it as a great place to go to the bathroom.

Time to put Zoe down. She just finished eating an index card while she rolled around on the floor of the office, so she should be nice and full.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

I think I am almost fully recovered from surgery. I went back to the doctor Tuesday, and they did some horrible things to me that I am not sure most people would want to read about. Let's just say they numbed my nose and used a vacuum to clean out my sinuses. It hurt like hell, because I have broken bones in my nose, and you can't numb that. Anyway, moving on to more pleasant topics...

My class is still going well. I guess my studying is paying off for me, because I think I may be able to pull off an A. My teacher had the same surgery as me, so she hasn't been feeling up to much. I have another test and practical August 6th, along with a research paper due that day (no, I haven't started yet). My final is August 13th, and then there is a short reprieve before the start of the fall semester. I may take the kids and go visit my parents in Louisiana for a few days then.

School starts for both Zachary and me August 25th, and I am taking 11 hours this fall. Only one of them, A&P II, is a campus class; the rest are online. Hopefully I survive the semester!

I am still extremely nervous about giving up my job. I know I made the right decision, but I don't want to put us in a major financial bind. Since I am only going to be going to school two days a week, I plan to work the other three. I have several options right now: teach at a preschool (they contacted me), tutor after school, teach childbirth classes through the YMCA and a new family clinic, and I've applied to work in the education department at my college. Who knows, I may end up doing all of them! My goal is to keep Zachary out of after-school care, and not have to modify our lifestyle too much. I know the housekeepers are going (sob), and the YMCA membership, but there's not a whole lot else that we can cut out. Two more paychecks to go...

We're headed to Louisiana next weekend for my nephew's baptism. I can't wait to have him and Zoe together! We are also going to do a photo session with a photographer, and I am sure, have a family Wii tournament. Besides that, I am leaving the house as little as possible. I think it's having two kids and how difficult it is to go anywhere, but I prefer to stay home these days. God knows I have plenty to keep me busy around here, and if I don't leave the house, I'm less likely to spend money. I also haven't really wanted to talk on the phone lately; I just feel like I should be spending all of my time studying and keeping the house clean.

More excitement later; I'm going work on the office while the kids are quiet.

Monday, July 14, 2008

My friend Jennifer uploaded a whole bunch of pictures and videos of my kids to Flickr, since I have been neglecting to do that. Click on the badge in the sidebar to view them.

I think I would take a whole lot more videos if I had a camera that was easy to use and it was easy to upload videos to the internet. So, if any of you out there are looking for a birthday gift for me, I would like a little digital camera that also takes videos (with sound). I promise to reward you with lots of videos of my kids doing exciting things!

Or, another birthday idea would be Apple gift cards, since I really want a new iPhone. Darren is getting one, and we are on a family plan, so I have to get one as well. I know there are still two months until my birthday, but I always say that I want things and immediately forget. How's this for a reminder?

Saturday, July 12, 2008

I planned to post today to give all the gory details of my surgery, but I just don't have the energy. Today has been the worst day for me, both pain-wise and energy-wise, and all I want to do is lie down and read or watch TV. None of us got dressed or left the house today, and it's been nice. Zach is getting restless, but that could be expected.

My plan is to rest as much as I can until Monday, because Darren is going back to work, and I have to be all right to take care of the kids and go to class Monday night. Not to mention the fact that I have two chapters to read in my textbook before class. It'll get done...

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

We had a great time in New Braunfels at Schlitterbahn this past weekend. It was definitely a slower-paced trip since we had an infant this time, but still enjoyable. Weighing heavily on my mind the whole time was my test that I had tonight, and the fact that I had to learn all of the bones in the body. I'd sit down to study every night, but end up being too tired, or get distracted. I planned to study in the car on the way home, but a certain little girl needed her mommy's attention for quite a while, then we both fell asleep.

I ended up studying with friend last night until after 1:00, then all day today. I don't think anyone felt like they did well on the practical. We had stations set up in the lab, and we had 90 seconds at each station to label either bones or parts of bones. It's much harder to do it that way than in a book! I'm just glad that part is over with. After the practical, we had our lecture test, which I felt like was easier. I really want to make at least a B in this class, so I can improve my chance of getting into nursing school next spring. My next test and practical is July 21st, and that one is supposed to be harder. We start dissecting the cat next week (I can hardly wait), and the practical will cover the muscles in the cat. I don't think doctors remember all of this stuff. I can't imagine a doctor being in surgery and discussing the greater trochanter of the femur. Or, maybe they do...

I was able to come home in time for dinner and some TV watching with Darren and my mom. Zoe was already in bed, but I went and hugged her, since I had to ignore her today to study. I gave myself the evening off tonight, but have two chapters to read and do notes on for the class I'll miss Wednesday, and the next study guide to begin.

My next hurdle is going to be surgery Wednesday. I'm nervous about it, but know that it will help my chronic sinus infections. What I am most worried about is the recovery period. I have to be all right to go to class next Monday. I'm not supposed to lift Zoe for a week, but seeing as I don't have a nanny, that's not likely to happen.

I plan to spend tomorrow (or later today) making sure the house is picked up, groceries are stocked, and everything is in order for me to be out of commission for a few days. I'm glad that Zach's not home for me to have to entertain him, but he'll be back Thursday to spread mess throughout the house. Sigh.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

My sister suggested this post after I told her the story, so here it is...

We were at the grocery store Sunday evening, and Zach was being unusually good. Darren took the cart and Zoe to go and get some cat litter, and Zach came with me to get some napkins, which are also on the toy aisle.

Those of you who know us know what a big Cars fan Zachary is. His sheets, pajamas, hat, shoes, etc. are all Cars-related. We've been collecting the die cast figures since they came out, and Zachary is always looking for new ones.

Anyway, Zach spotted a car that he didn't have, and I told him he could get it, since his behavior was good at the store. We walked to meet Darren and Zoe, and Darren looked at me, then licked the side of my face and told me I tasted like grape. I asked him why he had done that, and he said that he wanted to see what flavor sucker I was. That was a new one to me!